8th birthday "celebr 8" shaker card

Shaker cards are so much fun - interactive and sparkly too!!!

Eight balloons for a GR8 birthday :)

Check out that CUTE smiley face :)

The card is a tall A5 size (8 1/4" high).  I confess that I trimmed off the "stepper" part from the front of a blank A5 Stepper Card Base by Fundamentals (Ruby Rock-It).  I LOVE this size, it is a top fold and the cardstock is so sturdy.

I used Paper Smooches Pinked Circles, Balloons, Big Balloons & Birthday Words dies and 4mm & 6mm Sparkling Clear, Raspberry & Cobalt sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  This is the second shaker card I have made and I still have more to learn to make them better, full details in the tutorial below.

* * * * *

I have entered my card in the

Sparkle and Shine Challenge FOUR: Sketch Inspiration
on the Sparkle and Shine Challenge Blog

  

Entries close 11:55pm EST Saturday 25th April 2015

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I have also entered my card in the

Craftin Desert Diva's Craft It Up & Link It Up Shaker Linky Party

Entries close 12pm Arizona MST Sunday 26th April 2015

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I have also entered my card in the

FUSION {Elegance} challenge on the FUSION Challenge Blog

Here is the inspiration pic & challenge badge

 

My card is a FUSION of the inspiration photo and the sketch.

The sparkling clear sequins remind me of the crystal ware too.

Linky closes noon PST Tuesday 21st April 2015

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I have also entered my card in

Challenge #83 - No Digis or Stamped Images

on the Simply Create Too Challenge Blog

This challenge starts 10th April and ends 24th April 2015

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Here is my tutorial for creating this card.

1. Cut the cobalt blue cardstock mat, patterned paper & accent strips to size and set in place - do not adhere yet
2. Align the largest die from the Paper Smooches Pinked Circles die set over the accent strips & patterned paper to where the shaker window will be, secure in place over the top accent strip & patterned paper with Washi Tape, die cut (I used my Big Shot) then carefully remove the tape so that the paper or cardstock doesn't tear.  Layer the accent strips together and carefully trip the lower strip so that it doesn't show from under the die cut section of the top strip.  I kept the lower strip separate so that the other two layers would cut cleanly with the die, didn't want to overload the die or my Big Shot sandwich.
3. Adhere the accent strips to the patterned paper.
4. Adhere a section of acetate to the window.  I used Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive.
5. Cut a sheet of foam slightly smaller than the patterned paper panel, mark the window and cut out an area slightly larger than the pinked window.  I cut mine too large and later regretted it, because all the sequins are not visible.
6. Cut white cardstock to the same size as the patterned paper.
7. Adhere the white cardstock to the blue mat.
8. Adhere the foam sheet to the white layer, ensuring the window is in the right position.  I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry because I find it is easier to align layers with a liquid adhesive and this is a strong, clear glue that dries fast and secures different surfaces together well, just like a hot glue gun without the burns.  Make sure that the layers are pressed down evenly so that there are no bulges of glue underneath.
9. Fill the well with sequins - I used a mix of 4mm & 8mm Sparkling Clear, Raspberry & Cobalt sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.
10. Adhere the patterned paper on top of the foam sheet, ensuring the edges & window are aligned.
11. Cut assorted balloons using Paper Smooches Balloons die set.  I also used the smiley face from the Paper Smooches Big Balloons die set on one of the balloons then layered it so that the smiley face was clearly visible.  Tie thread to each balloon and knot three times, I found that a double knot started to come loose during handling.
12. Secure the balloons in place, some flat against the card, others on foam squares for dimension.
13. Draw the balloon strings together, knot & secure with a brad.  This is why I didn't adhere the mat to the card base earlier, so the brad is pushed through the layers and well hidden from behind without any bulges.
14. Cut several sets of the "celebrate" word from the Paper Smooches Birthday Words die set.  Because I wanted to do a play on words for this 8th birthday card, I only used the "celebr" portion, laying several together for dimension, adhering with Tombow Mono Multi.  I used the negative to align the letters while adhering them together and to the patterned paper.
15. Adhere the finished panel to the card base.

PaperCrafter's Corner - Magazine Mondays - Week #94

I should have been making birthday cards

... but I got distracted by the challenge over at the PaperCrafter's Corner.

Here is the inspiration image for Magazine Mondays Week #94

and here is the décor piece I made, just for fun.

"It's not easy being queen of the universe."

The Itty Bitty "Queen of the Universe" stamp by the Unity Stamp Company is a recent addition to my crafty stash and this challenge was the perfect opportunity to give it an inking.  I used Jet Black Stazon ink on watercolour paper.
I coloured her in using Faber-Castell ArtGRIP Aquarelle watercolour pencils.  I didn't have any beige or flesh tone, so layered a pale yellow with metallic gold and was quite happy with the result.

This was my 1st time using Wink Of Stella - I only have white so far, so I thought she needed a sparkling white glove and belt.  I confess that I must have squeezed it a little too hard and it came out so fast that I had to quickly blot it up using a brush.  Note to self - DON'T use your watercolour brush over Wink Of Stella without washing it well BEFORE using it again!!!  A little sparkle goes a long way and her red shirt has an unplanned sparkle to it.

After colouring was complete, I fussy cut her out using my Fiskars Soft Grip Microtip scissors and Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife then went around all the edges with a black Faber-Castell PITT artist pen.  A queen needs her jewels so initially I gave her a diamond earing then went a bit overboard with the bling and added rhinestones for buttons on her blouse too ... still thinking about removing them.  I shortened the sentiment by stamping on watercolour paper, shaded with green pencil, fussy cutting out the words I wanted, holding each one in place with my piercing tool while I inked around the edges.  Oh, I added some Wink of Stella sparkle to "queen" too.

The floral background is 6 1/2" x 5" ... it reminded me of old wallpaper and felt "right" for the image.  The papers were from the Kaisercraft Miss Match 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" paper pad.  I love the papers in this pad so much that I have several in my stash.  I inked around the edges of the papers with Vintage Photo Distress Ink ... ANOTHER technique that I NEED to work on, I think I load my dauber with too much ink, so will try a blending tool and maybe even get a craft sheet instead of paper.

  

Here is a close-up - can you see that she even has red lipstick and cheek blusher?

Thank You for visiting.



ANOTHER Happy 10th Birthday

My card is a tall A5, standing 8 1/4" high.

I used the Paper Smooches Pinked Circles Dies and Birthday Words Dies.

The sentiment is two die cuts adhered together (blue then white on top) using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.  To give it a little more contrast to the patterned paper, I layered the sentiment over some vellum and secured the panel in place with brads.

NOTE: the sentiment is a very delicate die cut and I used the "negative" to ensure all the layers were aligned perfectly on top of each other.  I also used the negative when I was adhering the letters to the vellum so that all the letters were spaced & aligned perfectly.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment panel.

The pinked circles are layered on foam sheets for extra dimension.

The patterned panel is also layered on a foam sheet and the layered banners secured in place with foam squares, so they have dimension and sit level with the sentiment panel.

We have two birthday boys turning 10 within a week of each other, so this is the 2nd card I created using this design, I just mixed the colours around a bit from the 1st one found here.

 * * * * *

I have entered my card in the Paper Smooches SPARKS

April 5-11 Anything Goes (wk1) challenge

 

 

The dies can be purchased from the Paper Smooches Store

www.papersmoochesstamps.com

Pinked Circles Dies

Birthday Words Dies

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in the

Craftin Desert Diva'sCraft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party - Anything Goes

  

 This challenge is open until Sunday 12th April 12pm Arizona MST

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in the

FUSION {Elegance} challenge on the FUSION Challenge Blog

Here is the inspiration pic & challenge badge

 

My card is a FUSION of BOTH the colours from the inspiration photo and the sketch.

Linky closes Tuesday 21st April noon PST

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in

Challenge #83 - No Digis or Stamped Images

on the Simply Create Too Challenge Blog

This challenge starts 10th April and ends 24th April 2015

* * * * *

HAPPY 10th Birthday

Exciting update 14th April 2015

My card was a Featured Player

on the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog

My card is a tall A5, standing 8 1/4" high.

I used the Paper Smooches Pinked Circles Dies and Birthday Words Dies.

The sentiment is three die cuts adhered together (blue, white then red on top) using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.  To give it a little more contrast to the patterned paper, I layered the sentiment over some vellum and secured the panel in place with brads.

NOTE: the sentiment is a very delicate die cut and I used the "negative" to ensure all the layers were aligned perfectly on top of each other.  I also used the negative when I was adhering the letters to the vellum so that all the letters were spaced & aligned perfectly.

The pinked circles are layered on foam sheets for extra dimension.

The patterned panel is also layered on a foam sheet and the layered banners secured in place with foam squares, so they have dimension and sit level with the sentiment panel.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment panel.

* * * * *

I have entered my card in the Paper Smooches SPARKS

April 5-11 Anything Goes (wk1) challenge

 

The dies can be purchased from the Paper Smooches Store

www.papersmoochesstamps.com

Pinked Circles Dies

Birthday Words Dies

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in the

Craftin Desert Diva'sCraft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party - Anything Goes

  

This challenge is open until Sunday 12th April 12pm Arizona MST

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in the

FUSION {Elegance} challenge on the FUSION Challenge Blog

Here is the inspiration pic & challenge badge

 

My card is a FUSION of BOTH the colours from the inspiration photo and the sketch.

Linky closes Tuesday 21st April noon PST

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in

Challenge #83 - No Digis or Stamped Images

on the Simply Create Too Challenge Blog

This challenge starts 10th April and ends 24th April 2015

* * * * * 

Happy 10th Birthday Caitlin

Happy 10th Birthday Caitlin

I seem to be addicted to stepper cards at the moment.

The A5 card base is from Fundamentals and is 8 1/4" tall x 5 7/8" wide.

With the scalloped border and the scalloped circle sitting on top it stands 9 1/4" tall.

Other ingredients:

Sizzix - Circles Nesting Dies
Sizzix - Scalloped Circles Nesting Dies
Fiskars - Scalloped Sentiment Border Punch
Kaisercraft - Alphabet Uppercase Decorative Dies (1" high)
Kaisercraft - Medium Number Set Decorative Dies (1" high)
Kaisercraft - Tag Shapes Decorative Dies
American Crafts - textured cardstock
American Crafts - glittered paper
Foam sheets - for dimension between the scalloped layers
Helmar - 450 Quick Dry to adhere everything except the alphas
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue - to adhere alphas

Front view

Close up of the front panel.

I layered 2 pink alphas then offset with a black one for extra dimension.

* * * * *

I have entered my card in the

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog Challenge
- Simon Says Happy Birthday

The Wednesday Challenge Team are celebrating their 6th Birthday and will be giving away six, YES, SIX x $50 gift vouchers to spend in the Simon Says Stamp Store - AWESOME right?

This challenge closes 8am Ohio time Wednesday 8th April 2015

HAPPY 6th Birthday to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Team!!!

* * * * *

I have also entered my card in the

Craftin Desert Diva'sCraft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party - Anything Goes

  

This challenge is open until Sunday 12pm Arizona MST

Happy Birthday banner card

Exciting update 13th April 2015
My card was included in

the Top 5 with the Craftin Desert Diva's

Here are the ingredients for my 6 x 6" card:

The background paper is from the Kaisercraft Basecoat 6.5 x 6.5" paper pad.

The banners are Sizzix Triplits Banner dies by Stephanie Barnard

The sentiments are from the Sizzix Framelits Regal Card Stand-Ups die set by Stephanie Barnard

I used Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue to adhere the delicate die cut banner panels, die cut sentiment, burlap string & bows in place.

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I have entered my card in the April Showers Challenge on the Tombow Blog.

Here is the inspiration Mood Board by Daniella Hayes from the Tombow DT.

This challenge closes 11:55pm EST 12th April 2015

* * * * *
I have also entered my card in the
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog Challenge
- Simon Says Happy Birthday

The Wednesday Challenge is celebrating their 6th Birthday and will be giving away six, YES, SIX x $50 gift vouchers to spend in the Simon Says Stamp Store - AWESOME right?

This challenge closes 8am Ohio time Wednesday 8th April 2015

* * * * * 

I have also entered my card in the

Craftin Desert Diva'sCraft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party - Anything Goes

  

This challenge is open until Sunday 12pm Arizona MST

* * WINNER * * and message to all Blog Hoppers

THANK YOU

to everyone who visited

my blog hop post

and hopped along with us during our

Fiskafriends - The Power Of Community Blog Hop

 

I really appreciate your comments

and hope that you were inspired along the way.

I know I enjoyed my time hopping along through the blogs with you.

 

Now for the FUN part!!!

It is my pleasure to announce that
(with the help of random.org)
the

WINNER

of my blog giveaway

 

is

* * *

Amy #8546 (TheTigersHaven)

* * *

 

CONGRATULATIONS Amy!!!

 

Amy, you must contact me by 11:59pm PDT Sunday 5th April

or another winner will be drawn.

I will advise you when the prize has been posted but
I cannot be responsible for errors, lost, damaged or stolen prizes.
The parcel will be shipped from here in Australia and could take a few weeks to arrive.

 

* * *

message to all the Blog Hoppers

* * *

Don't forget to check the Fiskafriends Blog
to see if you are one of the sponsored giveaway winners.
You only have 72hrs from the announcement of the winners
to claim your prize and I'm sure you don't want to miss out
and have another name drawn in your place => GOOD LUCK!!!